The Case For Ivar Stenberg

With the San Jose Sharks jumping from 9 to 2 in the NHL Draft lottery, they are now in a prime position to add basically anyone they want to their pipeline. With the Sharks expected to start competing for a playoff spot and soon deep playoff runs, this is expected to be their last top-5 pick for a while.

Ivar Stenberg

Left wing
6'0" 181 pounds
Birthday: September 2007 (18)
Left-handed

Source: Ivar Stenberg @ Elite Prospects

If you are looking for a player with both a high ceiling and a high floor, Stenberg is your player. He can play in many different roles and situations and still succeed. While his offensive ceiling may not be as high as Gavin McKenna's, Stenberg looks to be able to play a more complete game.

Stenberg's hockey IQ, vision, and compete level are the separating factors. He can scan and create with and without the puck, and he is an extremely effective forechecker despite his size.

It doesn't take much imagination to see how Stenberg would fit in with the San Jose Sharks. Stenberg would give Macklin Celebrini another winger who can play with the same pace and has a high-end hockey IQ. Stenberg has already shown a strong ability to win board battles in the SHL and should not take very long to get up to speed playing in North America.

He would give the Sharks another high-end playmaker and potentially their final piece in the top six. Stenberg would help remove some of the pressure from Celebrini and Will Smith, as Stenberg can also be a play driver or a high-end complementary player with a hockey genius like Celebrini.

Ivar Stenberg also brings that dawg mentality to match Celebrini. He is relentless in his puck pursuit and would bring another high-caliber forechecker to the Sharks. Stenberg is a winning type of player, as seen in his role on Sweden's team at the World Juniors. Despite having drafted Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund recently on the team, Stenberg was on the ice in key moments for Sweden.

If the Sharks draft Stenberg, they would be getting another top-six player to add to their already young core of under-23 forwards. While there is a more pressing need to add a young defensive piece, adding the potential best player in the draft would give the Sharks a top six that would be the envy of the league.

Ivar Stenberg's high floor as a consistent, high-competitiveness, playmaking winger is an easy fit. Add in a ceiling of a potential point per game player that could unlock the Celebrini-Smith line as well as give the Sharks their final piece in the top six, no one would argue with Mike Grier's decision to draft Stenberg.